Shoe-filler apparatus



Feb. 9 1926. 1,572,694

E. M. THOMPSON SHOE FILLER APPARATUS Original Filed Feb. 16, 1923 3sheets-sheet 1 ,8? J/ I ,fnaergztr Feb. 9 1926, 1,572,694

E. M. THOMPSON SHOE FILLER APPARATUS 'Criginal F'led w). 16, 1923 3sheets'sheet 2 Feb. 9 1926.

1,572,694 E. M. THOMPSON SHOE FILLER APPARATU S Original Filed Feb. 16,1925 s Sheets-Sheet 5 I I A Patented Feb. 9, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ERROL M. THOMPSON, OF BROCKTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THOMPSON-FIELD COMPANY, INC., OF BROCKTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OFMASSACHUSETTS.

SHOE-FILLER APPARATUS.

Continuation of application Serial No. 619,330, filed February 16, 1923.

1924. Serial No. 720,571.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Enron M. THOMPSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Brockton, in the county of Plymouth and State ofMassachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Shoe-FillerApparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a shoe filler apparatus designed for reducingshoe filler composition to a soft plastic condition suitable forapplication to shoe bottoms and for maintaining the filler in thatcondition while the apparatus is in use, and this application is acontinuation of a prior application filed by me Feb. 16, 1923, SerialNo. 619,330, to the extent of the matter disclosed therein."

Heretofore, it has becncustomary to fill up the cavity in welt shoesbetween the inner and outer soles with a suitable material in order togive the sole of the shoe the requisite thickness and stability and thecompo sition generally used for this purpose has been made up ofcomminuted leather or cork held together by a suitable binder. It isdesirable that the filler composition be resilient and pliable in theshoe, nonshifting after long use to prevent bunching up in the sole andthat it be waterproof. As a rule, these compositions when cold aresemi-hard, but may be reduced to a plastic, moldable, and workablecondition by the application of heat, and various apparatus haveheretofore been devised for reducing the composition to a plasticcondition at the point Where it is being applied to the shoes. The useof such apparatus, however, has heretofore been attended by certainobjectionable features and disadvantages. Constant attendance has beenrequired to prevent the burning and charrin of the filler material incontact with the sides of the receptacle, which burning or charringspoils the filler immediately affected and also discolors or darkens thefiller not burned. Frequently fire results from spontaneous combustionin case the apparatus is left unattended with the heatturned on for anyappreciable length of time. The discoloration of the filler due to thecharring action of the apparatus is especially disadvantageous whenlight or tan shoes are being filled.

Furthermore, such apparatus have been open to the objection that it hasrequired a half hour or even longer period to reduce the fillercomposition to a workable condition after the heat had been turned on inthe apparatus. These disadvantageous features all tend to slow up anddelay the filling operations and thereby increase the cost thereof tothe shoe manufacturers.

The principal object of my invention is the provision of an apparatus inwhich the shoe filler material is maintained in the proper plasticcondition for application to shoe bottoms and is free from any dangerfrom injury or discoloration by burning or charring.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus sodesigned that the semi-hard shoe filler composition is reduced to asuitable plastic condition for apof conductivity, such for instance, ascopper or aluminum. Heretofore, these receptacles have been made of castiron or steel, which requires a considerable period for heating, butwhich retains the heat to such a degree that the filler material incontact therewith is aptto be burned or charred. At the same time thistendency to burning is somewhat increased by the fact that acomparatively high pressure of steam is used which is difficult tocontrol. I have found, however, that by making the filler receptacle ofaluminum or copper less heat is required for reducing and maintainingthe filler in proper conditionand all liability of burn ing and charringis obviated. The use of such a receptacle permits the machine to beoperated under a low steam pressure, a fact which is of considerableadvantage to a shoe factory where it is generally difficult to get ahigh steam pressure without unusual expense.

Another important fea-tureof my invention consists in providing aconstruction whereby live steam may be introduced di- This applicationfiled June 17,

.dition when the machine is first started andalso tends to preventburning or discoloration of the filler. Care must be exercised,

however, in the admission of the steam to the tiller, because if toomuch is admitted, the binder is thinned-down to such an extent that itsadhesiveness is affected and the filler material separates and rolls,interfering with its application to the shoes and later disintegrates inthe soles, causing bunching when the shoe is subjected towear.

Sometimes an excess of stiam will wash away the binder to such an extentthat the cohesiveness of the filler is destroyed. For these reasons,therefore, it is important that the amount of steam admitted to thefiller be well distributed and limited'in amount so that the reductionof the tiller to a plastic condition may be rapidly accomplished withoutdeleterious results to the binder. I have found that the provision inthe bottom of the filler chamber of a plurality of minute perforationsspaced sufliciently far apart will accomplish the desired purpose. Inthe embodiment of the'invention here in illustrated, the apparatuscomprises broadly a receptacle of suitable shape for inducing andmaintaining the filler com position in a plastic condition, suchreceptacle being made of a soft metal such as copper or aluminum. Thereceptacle may be heated either by the use of steam or electricity andin either case means are provided whereby live "steam .is introducedthrough the perforated bottom of the receptacle into the tiller mass. vIn the drawings, .Fig. 1 is a front elevation, a portion being brokenaway to show the interior construction, of an apparatus constructed andadapted to be operated 1n accordance with my invention and provided jwith electrical heating means; Fig. 2 is a central sectional view of thesame on line 22 in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the same lookingdownwardly in Fig. 1; Fig. 4: is a longitudinal vertical sectional viewof the roll and knife box and electrical heating unit for the same; Fig.5 is a wiring diagram for the electrical heating means; Fig. 6 is afront elevation partly in section of the device equipped with steamheating means; Fig. 7 is a central vertical sectional view of one formof knifebox adapted for use when steam is employed as the heatingmedium; Fig. 8 is a detailed sectional view of a portion of the steamchamber; and Fig. 9 is a detailed sectional view on an enlarged scale ofa portion of the extended bottom "of said receptacle.

Referring to the illustrated embodiment of the invention, 12'designatesan open top receptacle for containing the filler material to be treated,which receptacle may be of any suitable form, but preferably, especiallyon the front or operators side 13, which may be made double, has slopingsides to facilitate access to and handling of the filler composition.The receptacle may be made of any suitable material; having a highdegree of conductivity for heat, such as cop per or aluminum, but I havefound that a receptacle cast from aluminum gives excellent results inthat the filler may be reduced to plastic condition more rapidly andwith less heat and is kept in better condition than when the receptacleis made of other material, such as cast iron or steel. The bottom it ofthe receptacle may b. provided with a threaded collar 16 adapted toreceive the threaded upper end of a standard 18 for supporting it at theproper height to suit the convenience of the operator.

On the inside just above the bottom 1 the receptacle maybe provided withan inwardly extending flange 20 adapted to support a plate 22 or falsebottom which divides the receptacle into an upptr open chamber 24 forcontaining filler and a lower closed steam chamber 26 which on the frontside 13 extends upwardly between the two walls thereof. The plate 22 maybe removably secured to the flange by screws 28 in order to allow it tbe easily taken out when necessary for cleaning or other purposes. I

To permit, steam to flow from the steam chamber26 upwardly through thefiller in the upper chamber, the plate 22- may be provided with aplurality of small perforations 30 spaced apart at suitable intervalsand cupped out at 31 on the under side of the plate (Fig. 9) to preventclogging. The cupping out of the perforations reduces the length of therestricted passage to such an extent that any piece of cork or othermatter in the filler small enough to enter the passage cannot remainthere to obstruct it, but will fall through into the steam chamber. Itis also desirable that the perforations be spaced apart, because if tooclose together, so much steam is admitted to the filler that the binderis weakened and its adhesive qualities reduced thereby, making itdifficult to handle with the spreading tools.

The receptacle may be heated either by steam or electricity. In case theformer medium is employed, the steam chamber 26 may be provided at oneside with an inlet 32 (Fig. 6) connected by a pipe 3% with a source ofsupply controlled by a valve 36,

porting and heating by radiation a knife box 40 and an evening roll 42mounted thereon over the receptacle- The pipe '38 may exhaust in anysuitable manner, which exhaust may be controlled by a check valve 51. Avalve at lmay be arranged in the supply pipe 3 f between the bypass andthe steam chamber to allow the steam to be withheld from that chamberwhen necessary without affecting the heating of the roll and the knifebox. lln open drip pipe may be located in the bottom 14 to permit thewater of condensation to run out.

The knife box (Fig. 7) is preferably made of a main center section,designated generally as 40 and being recessed on each side to form knifeslots 46, when side portions 48 are secured thereto on each side byscrews 50. When steam is used as the heating medium, the center portion40 may be cored out and provided with alternately arranged baffle plates52 to cause the steam to pass therethrough in a circuitous route andthereby to increase the temperature of the knife box. I have found thisconstruction of knife box to be especially advantages when steam at lowpressure is used and the box is made of cast iron, since difiiculty hasbeen experienced under such circumstances in maintaining a solid box ata'teimperature sufficiently high to heat the spreading knives properly.

In the use of electricity as the heat supplying medium, two flat spaceheaters of ordinary and well-known construction may be secured to thebottom 14; of the receptacle (Figs. 1 and 3) and a tubular space heater62 may be mounted above the rece tacle for heating roll and knife box,said heaters being all included in one circuit, as shown in Fig. 5 inwhich Gel, 66 and (S8 designate the conductors connected to a source ofelectrical energy. A switch 70 of any suitable form of construction maybe used for closing and opening the circuit. The switch and a pilotlight 105 may be enclosed in a switch box 72 and the conductors insuitable flexible insulating tubing 74, 75 and 76 and in fixed tubing 77and 7 8 (Fig. l). The tubular space heaterGQ maybe conducted by screws63 to conductors (it and 66 and may be enclosed in a tubing 67 whichcarries the roll 4-2 and knife box ll) and is supported above thereceptacle by means of two pairs of semi-circular flanged end plates 80and 82, the plates in each pair being fastened together at their flangesby screws 8%. The lower plate 82 of each pair is provided with athreaded opening to receive the threaded end of one of the fixed tubes77 or 78. Set screws 83 prevent rotation of the tube 67 in the endplates and the knife box may be fixed on the heater 62 against rotationby a set screw 86. By means of this construction, the entire upper partof the electrical heating means may be treated as a unit and in thatcondition removed from the apparatus when necessary by merelydisconnecting the flexible tubing 7 5 and-76 therefrom and lifting it upto disengage the tubes 77 and 78 from the ears 37 and 39. At any time,however, access can be had to the space heater 62 by merely removing theupper end plates 80.'

Then the apparatus is equipped with electrical heating means, it isnecessary to provide a small amount of Water in the bottom of thereceptacle from which steam may be generated and for this purpose thebottom 1% may be provided with an extension having an, upturned rim 91and a closed rater tank 92 may be pivotally secured by hinges 93 to thetop of the receptacle above the extension. A nozzle 94 in that side ofthe tank which is normally the bottom side projects into the extensionto within a short distance of the floor thereof to feed water from thetank when the level of the water falls below the mouth of the nozzle.The refilling of the tank is accomplished by turning it on the hinges 93into theposition shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and by re- -moving thenozzle. A hole 95 permits water to flow from the extension into thesteam chamber, said hole being closed by a screw plug 96 when theapparatus is used with steam. A plug 97 may be employed forclosing thedrip opening in the bottom 14-.

In order that the current maybe turned off when the tank is dry, Iprovide a switch 98 which is held normally open by an interio spring 95)and is mounted in a casing 100 secured. by screws lOl to the rear wallof the receptacle and in position for the tank (Fi 2) to engage the endof the plunger projecting from the casing. 'llhe switch is so arrangedwith respect to the tank that when the latter contains any appreciableamount of water it presses the switch 98inwardly to close the circuit,but when itis comparatively empty, the sprii'ig 99 is of sufiicientstrength to overcome the lateral pressure exerted by the empty tank andto press the switch outwardly opening the circuit. This immediatelyshuts off the heat and in consequence gives notice to the operator thatthe tank needs replenishing.

In the operation of my apparatus, a suit able supply of the fillermaterial is placed in the chamber 24 upon the perforated. partition 22and the heating medium whether steam or electricity is turned on, or ifpreferred the receptacle may first be heated and the filler then placedin the apparatus. The filler is more quickly reduced to a plasticworkable condition when steam is employed as the heating medium, sinceit filters through the perforations in the partition and permeates thetiller, softening the binder which is normally semi-hard. Preferably,

CTI

steam at a very low pressure is used and the flow of steam into thesteam chamber may be regulated by the valve 44. Then-electricity isused, I find that placing the fiat space heater on the under side of thebottom of the receptacle gives excellent results, although in startingit is somewhat slower than steam. After the apparatus has been started,the filler is maintained in plastic and workable condition by thelimited amount of steam which filters throughthe perforated partition. Ihave found that spacing the perforations approximately two inches apartgives most excellent results in this respect and that the amount ofsteam admitted to the filler is sufficient to keep it in perfectworkable condition without weakening the adhesive qualities of thebinder.

In using the apparatus for filling shoes, the operator takeshis stand infront, with the shoe to be filled, sole up, in his left hand withdraws ahot knife from the knife box, scoops up the filler therewith and fillsthe bottom of the shoe, using the roll to even off the same. The heatingof the knife of the roll prevents the filler stickingto either. In doingthis work, the opera-tor generally moves the liller up against the frontwall 13 of the receptacle where it may be conveniently dipped out withthe knife and the steam in between the double walls keeps the filler inproper condition and prevents cooling.

The apparatus of my invention has many advantages, some of whicharedirectly due to the fact that the receptacle is made of a metal having ahigh degree of conductivity for heat. Because of this quality, themachine is more rapid in its initial performance and the filler is readyfor application within a very few minutes after the heat is turned on. Ihave found when steam is used as the heating medium that the filler maybe applied within two or three" minutes. In case of electricity, thisaction is somewhat slower, but still much faster than when a 'cast ironor steel receptacle is employed.

Furthermore, the machine may be operated with less heat than is requiredfor a cast iron or steel apparatus and is more efficient and moreeconomical. A steam pressure of but a few pounds will give satisfactoryresults and will conform more nearly to customary conditions in shoefactories where a high steam pressure involves expense.

With the use of my apparatus, all burning, charring, or discoloration ofthe filler is entirely obviated, although the filler is apparently moreuniformly hot and plastic. The use of copper or aluminum avoids therusting or corrosion which is a common defect in honor steel receptaclesand which tends to discolor a light filler which is espe ciallyobjectionable where light or tan shoes are being filled.

My machine may be very easily changed .than approximate. Undoubtedly,within certain limits the perforations may be spaced nearer together orfurther apart than two inches, and this spacing may also vary with theamount of steam pressure used. For these reasons I do not desire to belimited in the following claims to any specific dimensions for spacingthe perforations except where specifically stated, since this feature ofmy invention is directed to any spacing which will admit only so muchsteam vapor to the filler material as will soften the binder withoutcausing it to run.

WVhat I claim is:

1. A shoe filler apparatus having, in

combination, a receptacle made from metal having a high degree ofconductivity for heat, said receptacle having an upper cham her forholding the filler material and a lower steam chamber, a partitionbetween said two chambers, said partition having perforations spacedapproximately two inches apart for admitting a limited amount of steamfrom said steam chamber to said filler, and means for heating saidreceptacle.

' 2. A shoe filler apparatus having, in combination, a receptacle madefrom a metal having a high degree of conductivity for heat such ascopper or aluminum, said receptacle having an upper open chamber for theshoe filler material and a lower closed chamber for steam, a partitionbetween said two chambers provided with small perforations spacedapproximately two inches apart for-admitting a limited flow of steamfrom said steam chamber to said filler and means for providing steam tosaid steam chamber to heat said receptacle.

3. A shoe filler apparatus having, in combination, a receptacle castfrom aluminum,

a removable partition in said receptacle dividing it into an upperchamber for the filler material and a lower closed steam chamber, saidpartition being provided with a plurality of minute perforations forpermitting a limited flow of steam from said steam chamber to saidfiller chamber, said perforations being spaced apart a distancesufiicient to soften the binder but not to cause it to run, and meansfor providing steam for heating said receptacle and t0 maintain thefiller material in plastic condition.

4. A shoe filler apparatus having, in combination, a cast aluminumreceptacle, a removable partition in said receptacle dividing it into anupper open chamber for the filler material and a lower closed steamchamber, said partition being provided with a plurality of minuteperforations spaced apart for permitting a limited flow of steam fromsaid steam chamber to said filler chamber, each of said perforationsbeing cupped out to prevent clogging, aiu'l means for furnishing asupply of steam to said steam chamber to heat said rece 'itacle and tomain tain the iiller in suitable plastic condition.

5. A shoe filler apparatus having, in combination, a receptacle, aremovable partition in said receptacle dividing it into an upper openchamber for the filler material and a lower closed steam chamber, saidpartition being provided "with a plurality of minute perforations forpermitting a limited flow of steam from said steam chamber to saidfiller chamber, said perforations being spaced apart a distancesufficient to prevent the binder running, automatic means for supplyingwater to said steam chamber and electrical means for converting saidwater into steam to heat said receptacle and to maintain the filler inplastic condition.

(3. A shoe filler apparatus having, in combination, a receptacle made ofmetal having a high degree of conductivity for heat such as copper oraluminum, a partition in said receptacle dividing it into an upper openchamber for the filler material and a lower closed steam chamber, saidpartition being provided with a plurality of minute perforations spacedapart for permitting a limited flow of steam from said steam chamber tosaid filler chamber, a tank for automatically supplying water to saidsteam chamber, electrical means for converting said water into steam toheat said receptacle and to maintain the filler in plastic condition andautomatic operating means for shutting off the current in saidelectrical means whenever the water in said tank falls below apredetermined level.

7. A shoe filler apparatus having, in com bination, a receptacle made ofmetal having a high degree of conductivity for heat such as copper oraluminum, a partition in said receptacle dividing it into an upper openchamber for the filler material and a lower closed steam chamber, saidpartition beingprovided with a plurality of minute perforations spacedapart for permitting a limited flow of steam from said steam chamher tosaid filler chamber, a tank for automatically supplying water to saidsteam chamber, electrical space heaters mounted on the bottom of saidreceptacle, an electric circuit for operating said space heaters forconverting said water into steam to heat said receptacle and a switchnormally open for closing said circuit; said switch being arranged to beheld open by said tank so long as the water in said tank remains above apredetermined level.

8. A shoe filler apparatus having, in com-- bination, a receptacle forholding filler ma terial, the bottom of said receptacle being providedwith minute perforations for admitting steam vapor to the fillermaterial therein and means for furnishing steam vapor to said receptaclethrough said perforations; said perforations being spaced apart adistance sufiicient to prevent the running of the filler binder.

9. A shoe filler apparatus having, in combination, a receptacle forholding filler material, the bottom of said receptacle being providedwith minute perforations for admitting steam vapor to the fillermaterial therein and means for furnishing steam vapor to said receptaclethrough said perforations; said perforations being spaced ap proximatelytwo inches apart to prevent the running of the filler binder.

10. A shoe filler apparatus, having in combination, a receptacle forholding filler material, the bottom of said receptacle being providedwith minute cupped out perforations spaced apart for admitting steamvapor to the filler material therein, and means for furnishing steamvapor to said receptacle through said perforations.

11. A shoe filler apparatus having, in combination, a receptacleprovided, with a partition dividing it into an upper chamber for fillermaterial and a lower steam chamber, said partition being provided withperforations for the passage of steam vapor from said steam chamber tosaid filler chamber' to maintain said filler material in a workablecondition, said perforations being spaced apart a distance sufficient toprevent the running of the filler binder, and means for furnishing steamvapor to said steam chamber.

In I witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand this sixth day of June,1924.

ERROL M. THOMPSON.

